Combined body attached pen and pencil case and retracting means



COMBINED BODY ATTACHED PEN AND PENCIL CASE AND RETRACTING MEANS Filed April '29, 1955 ATTORNEYS COMBINED BODY ATTACHED PEN AND PENCIL CASE AND RETRACTING MEANS This invention relates to writing accessories and more particularly to a combined pen and pencil case having means for attaching the same to the body of the user and a retracting means for automatically retracting the pc and pencil within housings provided therefor.

Heretofore, numerous types of pen or pencil cases having means for retracting pencils or pens during nonuse thereof, have been proposed and utilized, but the majority of these required special pens or pencils and would not accommodate pens or pencils having the usual pocket attaching clips thereon. Furthermore, many of these prior art devices were relatively heavy and cumbersome and were not convenient and comfortable to wear and operate. Likewise, in certain cases, the points of the pen or pencil were left exposed whichpermitted the same to penetrate and often tear the clothes of the wearer and, in any event, permitted spoiling of such clothes by the pen or pencil. Since a large proportion of these prior art devices required the provision of special pens and pencils, no provision was made for detaching such pens or pencils and consequently, the same could not be used independently of the carrying case and retracting means.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a combined body attached pen and pencil case fand retracting means which may be provided with a comfortable nited States Paten 0 M shape and pleasing appearance and which may be con? veniently and economically manufactured from lightweight readily available materials and which maybe conveniently applied to, or removed from the wristot' the user.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combined body attached pen andpencil case and retracting means in which there is also provided means for covering the pen and pencil when not in use, thereby preventing damage or soiling of the garments of the user.

A still further object of the invention is-theprovision of a combined body attached pen and pencil case and retracting means in whichconventional pens or pencils having the usual pocket attaching clips thereon may be utilized and in which means are provided for automatically orienting the position of such pen or pencil during the retraction thereof to permit reception of the clip :in the space provided therefor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of .a combined body attached .pen and pencil case andflre+ tractin'g means in which such retracting means 'is provided Patented May 28,, 1957 of a combined body attached pen and pencil case and retracting means which may be conveniently attached to the wrist of the user thereby positioning the pen or pencil in a convenient location for removal and use in the fingers of the user and upon release of the same by the fingers of the user, such pen or pencil will be automatically retracted within the housings provided therefor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combined body attached pen and pencil case and retracting means utilizing a conventional pen or pencil having the usual pocket attaching clips thereon and which pen or pencil may be conveniently detached from the retracting means for use at other locations or when it is not desired to Wear the retracting and housing means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combined body attached pen and pencil case and retracting means which serves to retain a pen and pencil in convenient position on the wrist of the wearer for immediate retraction and use and when housed in the case to eliminate interference with the hands of the user when typing or performing other operations.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in con junction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a view in perspective showing the combined body attached pen and pencil case and retracting means of this invention and with the closure means in position to ,cover the points of the pen and pencil;

Fig. 2, a view in perspective showing the inside or wrist engaging surface of the pen and pencil case and the manner of attaching the housings for the pen and pencil to the pliable base material;

Fig. 3, a fragmentary view in perspective showing the housings for the pen and pencil with the cover means open and with the pen withdrawn from the housing provided therefor;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary sectional viewof the barrel containing the retracting mechanism andshowingsuch mechanism and the means of mounting and securing the same in the barrel; I

Fig. S, a fragmentary sectional view similar toFig. 4, and showing a side view of the retracting mechanism and mounting means therefor; and

Fig. 6, a fragmentary elevational view showing the ret'racting mechanism and the relationship of the flexible element which is attached to the pen or pencil as well as the retracting spring and the manner of attaching the end of the spring to the frame of the retracting mechanism, With continued reference to the drawing there is shown a combined body attached pen and pencil case and re tracting means constructed in accordance with this in; vention and which may well comprise a base 10 of pliable material, such as leather, plastic, fabric or the like, which base may be provided with a relatively narrow, elongated central portion 11 intended to engage the back of the wrist of the wearer or may, if desired, be positioned .on the back ofthe forearm and the base it) is likewise provided with wrist encircling straps 12 and 13 extending from opposite side edges thereof and there is provided a suitable buckle 14 or other suitable fastening means to convenientlysecure the base 10 in position on the wrist or forearm of the user.

1 Housings 15 and 16 comprising elongated tubes 17 and 18 are provided and these tubes 17 and 18 may be secured "in side-by-side substantially parallel relationship on the outer surface of the elongated portion 11 of the A still further object of the invention isthe provision base 10 by suitable metallic or other straps 19 and 20 extending over and between the tubes 17 and 18 and secured to the elongated portion 11 of the base 10 by suitable lacing :or other means 21 and'22 respectively. As shown in Fig. 2, the lacings '21 and 22 may be knotted, as

at 23 and 24, on the inner surface of the elongated portion 11 of the base 10. The lacings 21 will be formed of pliable material, such as leather or plastic and consequently, the knots 23 and 24 will flatten out and engage the back of the wrist or forearm of the user without discomfort.

v A conventional pen and pencil may be utilized with the'case and retracting means of this invention and, as shown in Fig. 3, there may be provided a conventional pen 25 having an elongated barrel 26 terminating in a point 27 at one end and provided on the other end with the conventional cap 28 having a pocket or apparel engaging clip 29 mounted thereon. The cap 28 may be provided at its rear end with a ring or other suitable attaching member 30, the purpose of which will be presently described. Likewise, there may be provided a con ventional pencil 31 having an elongated barrel 32 terminating at one end in a point 33 and provided'on the barrel 32 with the usual pocket or apparel engaging clip 34. The barrel 32 is provided at its rear end with a ring or other suitable attaching means, not shown, which may be similar in every respect to the ring 30 on the cap 28 of the pen 25.

Tube 17 of housing 15 is provided with an elongated slot 35 in the side wall thereof and such slot terminates at the forward end of the tube 17 in a beveled end surface 36 which merges into the slot 35 and as will be seen from-an inspection of Fig. 3, retraction of the pen 25 within the tube 17, the clip 29 if out of alignment with the slot 35 will engage the beveled surface 36 to rotate the pen 25 and align the clip 29 with the slot 35 thereby permitting entry of the pen 25 into the tube 17 with the 'clip 29 received in the slot 35.

' Similarly the tube 18 of the housing 16 is provided with an elongated slot 37 in the side wall thereof and this slot terminates at the forward end in a beveled surface 38 which merges into the slot 37 and serves to engage the clip 34 on the pencil 31 thereby aligning the clip 34 with the slot 37 and permitting entry of the pencil 31 into the tube 18 with the clip 34 disposed in the slot 37.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the elongated portion 11 of the base is provided at its forward end, with an elongated flap portion 39 which serves to cover the securing strap 19 to securely hold the flap 39 in closed position. If desired, when utilizing the device, the flap 39 may be folded in the opposite direction and the tabs 40 tucked between the elongated portion 11 of the base 10 and the wrist or forearm of the user, thereby exposing the points 27 and 33 of the pen 25 and pencil 31 respectively to permit the free withdrawal of the same from the housings 15 and 16 and retraction thereof into such housings as desired.

Tube 17 of the housing 15 is provided at its rear end with an enlarged barrel 41 and in a similar manner tube 18 of housing 16 is provided at its rear end with an enlarged barrel 42. Since barrels 41 and 42 are identical in construction, a detailed description of one will sufiice for both and with particular reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will 'be seen that the barrel 41 is provided at its outer end, with internal screw threads 43 which may be threadedly engaged by a plug 44 extending inwardly from a closure cap 45. The plug 44 is provided on diametrically opposite sides thereof with flat surfaces 46 and a generally U-shaped frame 47 is provided with side members 48 and 49 which are secured to the flat surfaces 46 of the plug 44 by rivets or other suitable fastening means 50. Side members 48 and 49 of frame 47 are joined at their lower ends by a connecting portion 51 provided with an aperture 52 extending therethrough. An axle 53 is rotatably mounted in side members 48 and 49 and extends transversely of frame 47 and fixed to the axle 53 is a unitary winding drum and spring spool 54, the winding drum being provided by spaced flanges 55 and 56 and the spring spool by spaced flanges 56 and 57. A coil spring 58 is disposed on the spring spool with the inner end thereof fixed to said spool and with the outer end 59 extending through an aperture in the connection portion 51 of the frame 47 to secure such end 59 of the spring 58 thereto. A flexible element 60 which may be formed of any suitable material, such as wire, gut, plastic or the like, has one end secured to the winding drum between the flanges 55 and 56 and the opposite end extending through the aperture 52 in the connection portion 51 of the frame 47 and such end 62 of the flexible element 60 is provided with a spirally formed hook member 63 to permit convenient attachments of the flexible element 60 to the ring 30 of the pen 25 and to asimilar ring on the pencil 31. A pad 64 of 'yieldable material, such as leather, rubber or any other suitable material, is secured to the connecting portion 51 of the frame 47 and the pad 64 is provided with an aperture 65 therethrough to permit passage of the flexible element 60.

By this construction, it will be seen that there has been provided a unitary retracting mechanism incorporating a winding drum for receiving a flexible element and a spring spool forreceiving a coil spring with one end thereof attached to the spool and the opposite end to the frame whereby upon unwinding of the flexible element 60 from the winding drum, the spring 58 will be wound in a manner similar to a clock spring and will exert a turning force on the winding drum tending to retract' the flexible element 60 and the pen or pencil 25 or 31 attached thereto by means of the hook 63 on the outer end 62 of the flexible element 60. In the event of breakage or damage to the retracting mechanism, the same maybe conveniently removed and replaced simply by removing the closure cap 45 to which the retracting mechanism is attached and inserting a new closure cap with a new or repaired retracting mechanism attached thereto. The yieldable pad 64 provides an abutment for the rear end of the pen or pencil 25 or 31 when the same is retracted into the housing 15 or 16 which prevents damage thereto and also eliminates noise which would be caused by the impact of such pen or pencil with the connecting portion 51 of the frame 47.

In operation, it is only necessary to secure the base 10 to the back of the wrist or forearm of the user by means of the straps 12 and 13 and the buckle 14 and upon opening the flap 39, the pen 25 and pencil 31 will be conveniently exposed and may be withdrawn from the housing 15 or housing 16 and conveniently grasped in the hands of the user. Upon completing the use of either the pen or the pencil, the same may be simply released by thefingers whereupon the retracting mechanism will pull the pen or pencil into the associated housing 15 or 16 and should the clip 29 or 34 be out of alignment with the slot 35 or 37, engagement of the clip 29 or 34 with thebeveled end surface 36 or 38 of the tube 17 or 18, will automatically align the clip with the associated slot and permit entry of the pen or pencil into the housing with the clip disposed in the slot. If it is desired to utilize either the pen or pencil separately from the case of this invention, it is only necessary to withdrawn the same from the housing and detach the hook 63 from the ring 30 whereupon the pen or pencil may be utilized at any desired location; When it is desired to again attach the retracting'mechanism thereto and utilize the pen or pencil with the case of this invention, it is only necessary to remove the appropriate closure cap 45 with the re- 1 tracting mechanism attached thereto and extend the flexreapplied to the barrel 41 or 42, and the pen or pencil will be retracted within the housing;

It will be apparent that the above described invention may be conveniently and economically manufactured in a variety of styles, materials and colors and that the same provides a convenient case for a pen and pencil without in any way impeding the use thereof and likewise provides a means for automatically retracting such pen or pencil into the case after use thereof. There is likewise pro vided, as described above, a cover means for protecting the points of the pen and pencil to prevent soiling or damage of the apparel of the user and obviously, the inventionmay be conveniently worn on the arm inside the sleeve of the user and completely shielded from view.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variout changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A writing accessory of the character described comprising a base of pliable material having means for attaching the same to the wrist of the user, an elongated tube secured to said base and providing a housing for a pen or pencil, said tube having a slot for receiving the pocket attaching clip on said pen or pencil, the forward end of said tube being beveled with the side walls merging into said slot to facilitate entry of said clip into said slot, the rear end of said tube being enlarged to form a barrel internally threaded adjacent the rear end thereof, a unitary pen or pencil retracting means removably received in said barrel and comprising a cap having a re duced threaded projection engaging the threaded portion of said barrel, such projection having flat surfaces on opposite sides thereof, a generally U-shaped frame having side members engaging said flat surfaces and secured to said projection and a connecting portion having an aperture, an axle rotatably mounted on said side members and disposed transversely of said frame, a unitary winding drum and spring spool fixed to said axle, a coil spring disposed on said spool with the inner end fixed to said spool and the outer end fixed to the connecting portion of said frame, a flexible element having one end attached to said winding drum and the free end extending through the aperture in the connecting portion of said frame, means on the free end of said flexible element for removably attaching the same to the rear end of a pen or pencil and a pad of yieldable material secured to the connecting portion of said frame for engaging the rear end of said pen or pencil when retracted within said tube, a flap on said base for covering the projecting forward end of said pen or pencil and means on said flap for releasably securing the same in covering position, said retracting means enabling said pen or pencil to be withdrawn from said tube and held by the fingers of the user in writing position and upon release thereof said pen or pencil being retracted within said tube by said flexible element and spring.

2. A writing accessory of the character described comprising a base of pliable material having means for attaching the same to the wrist of the user, an elongated tube secured to said base and providing a housing for a pen or pencil, said tube having a slot for receiving the pocket attaching clip on said pen or pencil, the forward end of said tube being beveled with the side walls merging into said slot to facilitate entry of said clip into said slot, the rear end of said tube being enlarged to form a barrel internally threaded adjacent the rear end thereof, a unitary pen or pencil retracting means removably received in said barrel and comprising a cap having a reduced threaded projection engaging the threaded portion of said barrel, a generally U-shaped frame having side members secured to said projection and a connecting portion having an aperture, an axle rotatably mounted on said: side members. and disposed transversely of said frame, a unitary winding drum and spring spool fixed to said axle, a. coil spring disposed on said spool with the inner end fixed to said spool and the outer end fixed to said frame, a flexible element having one end attached to, said winding drum and the free end extending through the aperture in the connecting portion of said frame, means on the free end of said flexible element for removably attaching the same to the rear end of a pen or pencil and a pad of yieldable material secured to the connecting portion of said frame for engaging the rear end of said pen or pencil when retracted within said tube, a flap on said base for covering the projected forward end of said pen or pencil and means on said flap for releasably securing the same in covering position, said retracting means enabling said pen or pencil to be with drawn from said tube and held by the fingers of the user in writing position and upon release thereof said pen or pencil being retracted within said tube by said flexible element and spring.

3. A writing accessory of the character described comprising a base of pliable material having means for attaching the same to the wrist of the user, an elongated tube secured to said base and providing a housing for a pen or pencil, said tube having a slot for receiving the pocket attaching clip on said pen or pencil, the forward end of said tube being beveled with the side walls merging into said slot to facilitate entry of said clip into said slot, the rear end of said tube forming a barrel internally threaded adjacent the rear end thereof, a unitary pen or pencil retracting means removably received in said barrel and comprising a cap having a reduced threaded projection engaging the threaded portion of said barrel, a generally U-shaped frame having side members secured to said projection and a connecting portion having an aperture, an axle rotatably mounted on said side members and disposed transversely of said frame, a unitary winding drum and spring spool fixed to said axle, a coil spring disposed on said spool with the inner end fixed to said spool and the outer end fixed to said frame, a flexible element having one end attached to said Winding drum and the free end extending through the aperture in the connecting portion of said frame, means on the free end of said flexible element for removably attaching the same to the rear end of a pen or pencil and a pad of yieldable material secured to the connecting portion of said frame for engaging the rear end of said pen or pencil when retracted within said tube, a flap on said base for covering the projected forward end of said pen or pencil and means on said flap for releasably securing the same in covering position, said retracting means enabling said pen or pencil to be withdrawn from said tube and held by the fingers of the user in writing position and upon release thereof said pen or pencil being retracted within said tube by said flexible element and spring.

4. A writing accessory of the character described comprising a base of pliable material having means for attaching the same to the wrist of the user, an elongated tube secured to said base and providing a housing for a pen or pencil, said tube having a slot for receiving the pocket attaching clip on said pen or pencil, the forward end of said tube being beveled with the side walls merging into said slot to facilitate entry of said clip into said slot, the rear end of said tube forming a barrel internally threaded adjacent the rear end thereof, a unitary pen or pencil retracting means removably received in said barrel and comprising a cap having a reduced threaded projection engaging the threaded portion of said barrel, a generally U-shaped frame having side members secured to said projection and a connecting portion having an aperture, an axle rotatably mounted on said side members and disposed transversely of said frame, a unitary winding drum and spring spool fixed to said axle, a coil spring disposed on said spool with the inner end fixed to said spool and the outer end fixed to said frame, a flexible element having one end attached to said winding drum and the free end extending through the aperture in the connecting portion of said frame and means on the free end of said flexible element for removably attaching the same to the rear end of a pen or pencil, a flap on said base for covering the projecting forward end of said pen or pencil and means on said flap for releasably securing the same in covering position, said retracting means enabling said pen or pencil to be withdrawn from said tube and held by the fingers of the user in writing position and upon release thereof said pen or pencil being retracted within said tube by said flexible element and spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

